Rash and red skin on face

I am a male, 20 years old and have recently had some problems with the skin on my face, mainly my cheeks.
I have always had reasonably good skin on my face but about a month ago I noticed my cheeks started to become red with tiny little bumps (like tiny blind pimples) a few weeks latter the skin on my face started to go blotchy around my cheeks and mouth when I had a hot shower, a shave, sprayed deoderant etc.
The blotchiness normally lasts for about an hour or so, but the redness on the cheeks normally stays.
This all started about the same time I started going to the gym and about 2 weeks after I started on a diet suggesting the redness/rashes may be cause by this. (Perhaps toxins in the skin being sweated out of the pours)
The doctor perscribed me Eryacne Gel 2% but I am curious to find out why my skin may be playing up
Any suggestions?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
I cannot confirm anything without examination but it can be contact dermatitis, eczema,seborrheic dermatitis or rosacea.

Wash the areas several times with fresh water. Do not use any cosmetic products at the sites. You can apply some calamine lotion at the rash as it will help in soothing the skin. You can take some OTC oral antihistamine medications like Benadryl or Claritin and see if it helps.

For mild-moderate symptoms a weak steroid may be used (e.g. hydrocortisone as dermacort), whilst more severe cases require a higher-potency steroid (e.g. clobetasol propionate, fluocinonide).

Eczema can be exacerbated by dryness of the skin. Use good quality moisturizers to prevent moisture loss from the skin. If still the symptoms do not improve then pls get a clinical examination done by a dermatologist.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or in case you have any additional doubts.Kind regards.